As parents we’re left basically with unknown territory and the FDA and drug companies, which many people do not trust, especially knowing that many of the major drug companies provide funding for the approval of drugs. Stories of children having negative, even life threatening side effects to ADHD treatments and medications leaves many parents wondering if there is a safer and more natural remedy to help their struggling child and help them save their own sanity

In the uncharted territory of alternative treatments available parents must be just as equally cautious as they are about putting their child on medication. We live in a society where we would all like instant results and cures for our problems and ailments. Unfortunately there are many people who prey on this desire for us to believe there is a miracle cure and will try to convince you and sell you just about anything – and whether it’s safe or effective doesn’t matter to them. While we’d all like to take some sort of magical formula and watch all of our problems disappear, it usually takes quite a bit more work than that.

That is why this website ADHD Parent Support does not recommend or support any specific treatment or cure for ADHD symptoms. Every child is different, and so is every situation unique in diagnosing the condition as well as the way to treat it.

The best thing parents can do is to seek the trusted opinion of behavioral health specialists, educate themselves as much as possible in the different treatments available, and try to look at the situation objectively in making a decision to determine the best thing for their child’s health.

Allowing social media stigmas against medication or therapy or the opinions of family members, friends, or other parents influence your decision you may not ultimately be what is best for you and your child. This list is meant to be only a resource in helping you learn the different alternatives available that you can research further and discuss with your child’s doctor.

Here is an overview of natural remedy options:

Behavioral Counseling: While behavioral counseling is not a “natural remedy” in the form of something you can take or eat, it is one of the most useful and successful methods in treating ADHD successfully, with or without the use of other treatments or medications. For children too young for medication, or for those who constantly struggle with behavioral issues, it can take many months or years to see improvement, but in general it always leads to a more positive outcome.  Finding the right therapist is vital – be sure to find someone with a thorough understanding and plenty of experience.

Diet: Many parents and professionals have speculated that diet may be a way to change a child’s behavior. The keyword here is speculated, since there have not been a lot of studies done that effectively prove that it is what causes symptoms or can help alleviate them. The ADHD diet is a strict one that may also potentially deprive your child of nutritional value he or she needs that restricts a large amount of dairy, protein, and whole grains. For parents of picky eaters, it would be practically impossible to try this diet without first being involved in a major battle of what the kid can and cannot eat. Having other family members in the house would also cause a lot of grief with this. If you are considering a special diet for your child, it would be best to first speak with your pediatrician and a nutrition specialist who can perform allergy tests. You may likely be best off simply following the USDA’s guidelines for a well balanced diet outlined by the food pyramid.

Vitamins: From fish oil to flaxseed to Vitamin C, there are plenty of supplements and vitamins available that many believe could potentially help with ADHD. However, most people do not realize that if they are eating a well balanced and nutritional diet they do not need vitamins – and taking more vitamins that your body needs can be much more dangerous than a potential deficiency. For example, takin iron supplements without the direction or advice of a doctor can be fatal. Again, speak with a pediatrician or child nutritionist before taking any course of action. You can likely get all of the child’s needs in a well balanced diet without the need of supplements. See our article on ADHD Vitamin Supplements.

Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for treatment of emotional or physical symptoms. While there have been proven studies that certain smells do change our patterns of brain waves, it is also another untested territory related to ADHD. It is believed that citrus smells such as orange and lemon can be related to helping improve focus and concentration, where smells such as lavender can help with relaxation. Will burning scented aromatherapy candles transform your child’s behavior overnight? Most likely not, but at least your house will smell good!

Music Therapy: Music therapy is another natural remedy option that some parents may wish to explore. There is some research supporting the effect of music in calming and focusing, though specific ADHD treatment studies are few and far between. You can find meditative music just about anywhere, though there are other audio tracks that work specifically on tuning to certain frequencies and rhythms to produce an effect. Speaking to a reputable and experienced music therapist can give you more information and insight on this type of treatment.

Meditation: Meditation is another possible treatment source for ADHD that does not require drugs or medication. However, it is quite likely that you will have difficulty in getting your ADHD child to sit somewhere long enough to practice meditative techniques. If you can find a child meditation specialist in your area, that may help you learn ways to get him or her interested. While it most likely will not cure ADHD, as there is no cure, it could be a good way to learn how to manage hyperactivity and over stimulation.

With so many different ADHD natural remedy options, it is not surprising that some parents may decide to try these instead or in lieu of professional advice. Many parents are looking for that magical miracle cure when unfortunately one does not exist, and it can take years of experimentation with medications, therapy, and other treatments before finally finding the right combination of things that is best for you and your child. For these reasons, it is imperative to start things off right and as soon as possible by talking to your child’s doctor. The sooner you start seeking help, the sooner you will better understand the disorder and begin seeing hope again.

With all of the negative perceptions and misinformation about drugs and medications, as well as concerns about dosage and dangerous side effects, it is only natural for parents to be hesitant about putting their child on medications for ADHD. In some cases, medications do not even work successfully in reducing symptoms and treating the disorder, which can leave parents and caregivers even more desperate to find an alternative treatment that may help their child.

It’s important for parents to remember that all drugs pose risks – even over the counter medications such as Tylenol that are generally considered safe in very young children can have the potential for side effects or complications. Most pediatricians do not even recommend giving children over the counter cold or cough medications because the likelihood for overdose is higher than it actually being effective in treating the symptoms of a cold.

When you are thinking about medications not being safe, you also need to realize that ADHD vitamin supplements may or may not be safe as well. Unfortunately there are many people who prey on those who are seeking a solution to their problems, and they will try to sell you just about anything to make a buck or two – irregardless of whether it is safe or effective. Vitamins, herbs, and natural supplements in general are not regulated or tested by the FDA. Some products may not have quality components, others may be nothing more than an expensive placebo. Some things, such as iron for example, can be toxic and cause a fatal overdose.

Another important consideration is that there is little evidence that supports that different herbal or vitamin supplements prove to be effective in treating and curing symptoms. In order for taking a vitamin to be justified, there should be a reason for its use, primarily a deficiency in the child’s nutrition. If we eat a well balanced diet full of vegetables, fruits, dairy, protein, and grains and you get the recommended servings per day, it’s very likely that no vitamin deficiency exists.

Unfortunately, very rarely will parents take the time to speak to a nutritionist to determine if their child in fact does or does not need vitamins or a dietary supplement in addition to the foods they already eat. Taking too much of a vitamin or eating certain foods can also have potential consequences – for example too much protein or calcium could put you at risk for kidney stones.

While we don’t recommend any specific product that claims to help with treating ADHD since there is no evidence to support any of them actually work, we do think it’s important for parents to know the facts about different supplements available before potentially putting their child’s health and safety at risk. For that reason, below we’ve compiled a list of the most common dietary supplements below that are believed to help in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Essential Fatty Acids, sometimes called EFA’s, are another big contender that is believed to help improve focus and concentration. Unfortunately, EFA’s are difficult to keep intact in pill or even liquid format, so buying them as a supplement may be nothing more than a waste of effort and money. You also run the risk of contamination or other problems, especially if taking fish oil which could potentially contain mercury. Instead, it would be much better to include foods that contain these acids naturally into your child’s diet. Salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts are the top three contenders for being high in essential fatty acids and can easily and safely be incorporated into a balanced meal plan as long as your have no allergy concerns.

Zinc: It is believed that a zinc deficiency may be linked to hyperactivity, though it seems to have no effect on inattentiveness. It’s also important to realize however that zinc in too large of doses can also potentially be toxic. In general, foods that are high in protein such as beef, poultry, seafood, beans, and others contain enough zinc that if your child is eating a regular balanced diet it is likely he or she would not have a deficiency.

Vitamin C: Taking excessive amounts of vitamin C will likely do little good, since it is not a mineral that is absorbed in our body. Again, rather than taking a supplement it would be better to simply make sure your diet includes foods that contain vitamin c, such as fortified cereals or orange juice.

Iron: Too much iron can be toxic and deadly. If you have concerns about an iron deficiency ALWAYS speak to your doctor who can do a simple blood test to confirm if your child needs more iron in his or her diet.

There are many other herbal remedies that people will suggest, but in general are not believed to be safe or effective in children, such as ginseng or St. John’s Wort. If you believe that your child’s nutrition may be playing a role in his or her behavior, the best thing you can do is speak with a qualified child nutritionist to create a balanced meal plan that will give them all of the vitamins and minerals they need in the most beneficial format – naturally. It may not help with the symptoms of ADHD, but at least you know your child will be eating a healthy diet.

Have any thoughts on ADHD supplements? Share them in the comments below.